West Liberty fire officials still investigating Sunday morning fire

WEST LIBERTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Crews are investigating a fire that destroyed a log cabin this morning.

Fire officials tell us the fire broke out about 11:30 on Highway 364 in West Liberty.

We are told officials have not been able to contact the homeowner, but do not believe he was inside at the time.

However, crews have not been able to enter the home due to its condition.

It was early Sunday afternoon when firefighters in West Liberty got the call.

“The neighbors are the one that called it in. They called around 11:15 and then we were here on the scene in about 5 minutes,” said Chief Steve Elam with the White Oak Fire Department in Morgan County.

By the time crews arrived to the house, it was fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters believe the fire possibly started in the back of the house near the kitchen.

Investigators haven’t been able to determine the origin of the fire because the scene was still too hot on Sunday afternoon.

Chief Elam says the fire could have been much worse if the wind had picked up.

“Normally we're fighting more than just a house fire if the winds pick up so it could have gotten out of control.”

The small city has certainly seen its fair share of tragedy over the last year and firefighters say that has actually helped improve their response time.

“We’ve been through the tornado here in West Liberty so we're pretty well prepared for the worst. We have seen a lot in this county but we all respond well together we’re well trained,” said Chief Elam.

The fire chief says the homeowner was seen standing at the bottom of his driveway just minutes before the fire broke out.

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